Our brains have been lying to us… we don’t have a “multitask” mode; we’ve been context-switching at lightning speed and that’s what keeps draining you and leaves you behind. The single most significant efficiency improvement you can make is to yield to doing one thing at a time and permitting greater concentration and improved work.

To make this happen, attempt to dedicate a specific time block for one thing only. For instance, a 30-minute block to write out a report without any break. If you can, put away your phone in a drawer or in another room. You will be amazed at how fast you can accomplish things when you are not distracted all the time.

You’ve got to win your morning before you win your day. Next time you wake up, invest in a simple deliberate act: don’t look at your phone. Instead, take five minutes to stretch, have a glass of water, or just sit quietly (maybe recall your dreams if that sounds fun). If it’s possible for you, get some sunlight into your room, it makes sure your circadian clock restarts - basically telling your brain the day starts now.

This small habit recovers your attention before the outside world has an opportunity to take it. A good morning routine is a simple, low-effort means of starting your day feeling in control and centered.

Saner.ai is an AI personal assistant designed to minimize distraction and make your whole workflow seamless. It was founded by ADHD founders, so it's specifically crafted to keep your brain on track.

How It Works: Saner is like a "second brain" that gathers all your information - from emails to notes, calendars, and files - into a single, intuitive workspace. Its AI assistant, "Skai," systematically discovers and prioritizes action items for you, so that you no longer have to worry about forgetting. You can even query it using a basic chat interface about your very own notes, and it will give you relevant insights.

Who It's For: Though it's ideal for anyone who gets bogged down by too many apps and distractions, it's especially ideal for entrepreneurs, researchers, and managers who have to process large volumes of information in a productive way.

The free plan allows 30 messages a month, with paid plans starting at $8/month with more generous quotas.

The order in which you work can make or break your flow-state. Try to set aside blocks of time for similar work. Instead of context-switching between writing, planning, and admin work, dedicate blocks of time where you only do one type of task. By grouping similar things together—such as making phone calls, setting meetings, or writing social media posts—you save mental resistance switching between them and can do them much quicker. Set up these blocks in your personal calendar (Notion Calendar is our favorite) and shift them around as needed throughout the week.

This method is ridiculously simple but it’s a game-changer for focus. You work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This rhythm trains your brain to stay on task for short bursts and gives you a much-needed mental break before burnout can even set in.

We’re all about fives here, so here’s the top 5 from the weekend’s Box Office:

You’ll get a new 5 every week!

Before you go, what's the biggest time-waster in your day? Just hit reply and let us know.

See you soon!

Cheers,

Team Shakeup